Royal Prick (A Stepbrother Romance #2)(27)

“You wanted a fight. Well here I am, *, let’s go.” I shot up to my full stature, bouncing from foot to foot as I watched Dom continue to roll around in the grass.

What a *.

The crowd around us grew, the circle becoming wider as hushed whispers filled the air. I extended my hand out to Noelle for her to grab so that I could help her back to her feet. My hand hung there for a moment suspended in the air. The fear and shock that reflected back at me was astounding, and for a second I felt bad for being the cause of that single look. That was until I remembered this whole thing was on her. She made the choice to come here, to let him wrap his arm around her. I didn’t care if she was just being friendly, or if she was trying to get with him. Nothing mattered to me but her safety.

The princess herself brought all of this on herself, and I would be the first to remind her of that once this was all over.

“I told you I was dangerous. I warned you, Noelle, and now someone has to pay the consequences. Maybe you’ll listen better next time after you see what I do to this f*ck head,” I whispered into her as she gripped my hand, finally allowing me to help her to her feet. There was something inside of me forming, cracking and coming to the surface.

As soon as she got her footing I pushed her behind me, ready to get down to business. My icy glare turned straight to the * that was about to have his life ruined by my rage.

Number one way to piss Royal off: touch or take something that doesn’t belong to you. I was territorial, and I didn’t care if it looked like I was pissing a circle around Noelle. This wasn’t about anything but proving to these people that provoking me came with grave consequences.

“You all came here tonight expecting a fight, and while it may have gotten delayed it hasn’t been forgotten,” I shouted, making sure everyone within hearing distance could hear what it was that I was saying.

“So who here is ready to watch me drain this f*cker of his blood?” I questioned. Feeling the distinct building of adrenaline in my veins.

I could hear the chants and howls of excitement from the crowd, which only continued to increase my need for blood. Looking down at Dom, who was still laying on the grassy covered ground like a piece of discarded trash, I asked, “You ready to fight or are you just going to continue to lay on the ground like a little bitch too scared to get up?”

I taunted.

Watching.

Waiting.

For the perfect time to strike.

“You’re the little bitch,” Dom spat with a groan. That was all that was needed to set me off. I was like a rocket boosting into the dark blue sky. My next destination, the moon.

Without thought, I lifted my booted foot into the air and landed it against Dom’s rib cage, and a slew of curse words fell from his lips.

A sick and twisted smile formed on my face as the pain encompassed him. This was exactly what I needed, and I wasn’t even started yet. Noelle awoke the beast inside of me the man that wanted to claim her and wring her neck all at the same time.

Someone had to pay for the rage that was stirring deep inside of me.

Someone had to pay for f*cking with me, and I couldn’t let it be her because I would never forgive myself if I hurt her.





Chapter Twelve


-Noelle


I was buzzed, but I wasn’t buzzed to the point that I couldn’t notice that Royal was about to do something he would only regret. My fingers dug into the flesh of my hand, nervous knots forming in my belly as my eyes shifted between Dom and Royal. I was shocked, flabbergasted that he just came out of nowhere and hit him.

He was being barbaric; an alpha when he didn’t have to be, nor did he have a right to be. I wasn’t his. If anything, he did nothing but warn me to stay away from him. So why was he now acting like I belong to him or like he has to protect me.

It’s all for you. The conscious part of my brain knew that, but the part that wanted to protect him from everything bad didn’t want to admit it.

“Royal, this is uncalled for…” I started but froze mid-sentence. He narrowed his eyes at me in rage, the look alone terrifying me and rooting me in place.

“Noelle.” There was a warning to the way he said my name; it was like he wasn’t the same person anymore. The pale blue color of his eyes growing so dark that they looked almost black. I couldn’t swallow past the lump that formed in my throat. Did I even want to answer him? I knew I went against what he wanted, but I was an adult and just because he told me not to go somewhere didn’t mean I couldn’t.

“God. What a f*cking douche bag,” Dom groaned, one of his buddies helping him up off the ground. I wanted to tell him to stay down because it would be less of a fall for him, but didn’t knowing if I spoke directly to Dom that Royal’s switch would flip.

“Me the douche bag?” Royal cackled, the sinister laugh echoing throughout the backyard. Everyone stopped dancing, talking, and drinking to see what it was that we were doing. All the attention was on us, and it made my skin crawl with anxiety.

“I’m pretty sure I’m not the one that attacked someone from behind so yeah…” Dom held his side like he was hurting, and I was sure after the kicks Royal landed on him that he was.

“Don’t. Fucking. Touch. Her. Ever again, and you will never have to deal with me again.” Royal cracked his knuckles, clearly ready to uppercut Dom straight in the jaw. There was no way I could let him fight someone over me, someone that wasn’t his, or over something that had nothing to do with him.